Dismal Community College Graduation Rates, Not Cost, The Real Problem
Jan 12, 2015 08:25:50 #
The White House claimed last week that President Barack Obamas proposed free community college for everyone proposal would cost U.S. taxpayers at least $60 billion over the next 10 years were it to pass. But as the New York Times pointed out on Friday, community college is already tuition-free for millions of students.
Community college is already tuition-free for many students around the country, because the federal Pell grants for low-and middle-income students cover up to $5,730 a year, and some states add their own grants, while the national average for full-time community college tuition and fees is $3,427, reports the New York Times.
The Times adds, When Pell grants exceed tuition, students can use the remainder for other costs like books, supplies and room and board.
Despite the fact that Pell grants make community college free for millions of low-and middle-income students, some higher education scholars say Obamas proposal will serve as good publicity to inform unaware prospective community college students that tuition is already free.
Its easy enough to say that Pell grants, in most states, cover the whole cost of tuition for eligible students, but I think a lot of students dont realize that, Thomas Bailey, director of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University told the Times. So the publicity, and raising the profile as this announcement may do, is important in getting out the word that the cost of tuition isnt standing in the way of going to college.
Obamas plan, which was modeled on Tennessees plan, faces other hurdles beyond the Pell grant redundancy. Indeed, even Democrats like Tennessee state Representative Steve Cohen an architect of Tennessees HOPE college program has blasted Obamas free community college plan.
He shouldnt be holding Tennessee Promise out as a model because its not a model; its a facade to cover up what is a dying system that hasnt been funded, said Cohen.
The core problem with Obamas proposal, say experts, is that it focuses on cost, not the dismal graduation rates community colleges produce.
Few students make it out of community college in the first place, reports the Washington Post. Only a third of people in community college get some kind of degree or certificate within six years.
Obama is expected to sell his free $60 billion community college plan in his upcoming State of the Union Address.
Breitbart News
Community college is already tuition-free for many students around the country, because the federal Pell grants for low-and middle-income students cover up to $5,730 a year, and some states add their own grants, while the national average for full-time community college tuition and fees is $3,427, reports the New York Times.
The Times adds, When Pell grants exceed tuition, students can use the remainder for other costs like books, supplies and room and board.
Despite the fact that Pell grants make community college free for millions of low-and middle-income students, some higher education scholars say Obamas proposal will serve as good publicity to inform unaware prospective community college students that tuition is already free.
Its easy enough to say that Pell grants, in most states, cover the whole cost of tuition for eligible students, but I think a lot of students dont realize that, Thomas Bailey, director of the Community College Research Center at Columbia University told the Times. So the publicity, and raising the profile as this announcement may do, is important in getting out the word that the cost of tuition isnt standing in the way of going to college.
Obamas plan, which was modeled on Tennessees plan, faces other hurdles beyond the Pell grant redundancy. Indeed, even Democrats like Tennessee state Representative Steve Cohen an architect of Tennessees HOPE college program has blasted Obamas free community college plan.
He shouldnt be holding Tennessee Promise out as a model because its not a model; its a facade to cover up what is a dying system that hasnt been funded, said Cohen.
The core problem with Obamas proposal, say experts, is that it focuses on cost, not the dismal graduation rates community colleges produce.
Few students make it out of community college in the first place, reports the Washington Post. Only a third of people in community college get some kind of degree or certificate within six years.
Obama is expected to sell his free $60 billion community college plan in his upcoming State of the Union Address.
Breitbart News
Jan 13, 2015 07:11:59 #
My esteem for community colleges is very low. When I found out that the main core of teachg from the faculty was 4th, 5th, and sixth grade level remedial basics in math, english. etc.,thirty years ago, and I was spending tax dollars again to educate the basics, made me mad at political and educational administrations!!!!
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